Climber rescued after hard fall at Rocky Mountain National Park

A 63-year-old Boulder man was rescued in Rocky Mountain National Park after taking a roped fall of approximately 20 feet on Friday morning, August 30, 2019.

According to a press release from Rocky Mountain National Park, the Boulder man was approximately four pitches up the Englishman’s Route on Hallett Peak when he fell and suffered numerous serious injuries. The fallen climber was lowered to the ground by his climbing partner and two bystanders, where he received advanced medical care from paramedics.

A Colorado National Guard helicopter from Buckley Air Force Base extracted the injured climber via a hoist operation, using a winch operated cable at approximately 12:50 p.m. He was then transferred to a Flight For Life air ambulance and flown to a nearby hospital for further evaluation and treatment.

Thanks goes out to all the crews who responded to this rescue operation, including Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue team members, Alpine Rescue Team, and the National Guard helicopter from Buckley Air Force Base.

Hallett Peak is a 9.2-mile heavily trafficked trail located in Rocky Mountain National Park. The trail features wildflowers, stunning views, and gains about 3,254 feet of elevation. The Englishman’s Route is an 800-foot route on Hallett Peak consisting of 6 pitches. It’s rate as a 5.8 (intermediate) and is a classic route among climbers looking to scale the 12,713-foot peak.

Editor’s Note: Here’s a quick piece regarding why we’ve decided to include accident and death coverage in our collection of content.

When it comes to climbing a mountain, it’s important to know what to do if you or one of your partners takes a fall or seriously gets hurt. Before hitting the wall, do a safety check. Double-check knots, belay device, carabiners, and harnesses. Properly fasten helmets and plan to use basic commands to communicate with your partner. Here are a few extra safety tips for climbing in the great outdoors.

Leave a Reply

What We Believe

We are driven by our deep respect for our environment, and our passionate commitment to sustainable tourism and conservation. We believe in the right for everyone - from all backgrounds and cultures - to enjoy our natural world, and we believe that we must all do so responsibly. Learn More